It can be so overwhelming when it comes time to look at your future and consider what careers might work best for you. So many different directions to take and so many possibilities that are pulling at you – how do you choose? Stepping back and doing some personal reflection is a positive and essential first step.
Why? Because the better informed you are about who you are, what distinct qualities you bring and what matters to you, the better chance you have of pursuing meaningful work and feeling fulfilled in your career.
We counselors at the CCD are here to help! We provide one-on-one counseling sessions that support your self-reflection process, and may use various inventories and exercises that will assist in identifying your personality, interests, values, as well as your skills.
The personality indicator that we offer is the Myers Briggs Type Indicator (MBTI), which allows you to examine your natural preferences and identify possible areas you may want to improve upon. The MBTI is a self-report inventory based on Jung’s theory of personality that helps identify your unique gifts. It is based on assessing your preferences on four dichotomies and helps you understand what you may need for a career to be satisfying. This is a great way to build your self-knowledge and make stronger career decisions.
Let’s look at how personality matters in your career choices. Your personality is made up of the characteristics or qualities that make you unmistakably who you are. How does this play out in a career choice? Think about the different career options you may be considering and what the different work environments would be like.
As you may imagine, when you career is not a match, it can really drain you. Also remember, employers are on the lookout for candidates that match their company environments as well as considering your skills and knowledge.
For example, you may be thinking about working in a nonprofit setting where the mission of the organization is focused on advocating for more resources for lower-income adults. If you are impassioned by being the voice for another or perhaps you are passionate about equal opportunities for all, then actively knowing this about yourself in advance will both help you make a well matched choice and effectively present your unique attributes when you interview. Plus, choosing a job that you really are passionate about will set you apart.
The more you know yourself, see the connections to your career and can articulate this the more satisfied you will be all around.
BU + Beyond 